House Republican seeking re-election touts backing from Colombia's president

Rep.María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., is touting an endorsement from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella as she seeks re-election to Congress.In a video that the lawmaker posted, the foreign leader, speaking in Spanish, referred to Salazar as his nation's "best friend" in America's CongressDe la Espriella, a Colombian-American citizen who owns property in Salazar's congressional district, and his wife have previously donated nearly $90,000 to her campaigns, NBC News reported. 'GONE TOO FAR:' GOP CANDIDATE RUNS TO TRUMP'S LEFT ON SIGNATURE ISSUE IN DEEP RED DISTRICTRep.
Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., arrives for the House Republican Conference caucus meeting in the U.S.Capitol on Tuesday, Sept.
1, 2026.(Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)"And I receive with immense pride the support of my friend, President Abelardo de la Espriella," Salazar wrote in part of a Spanish-language post on X, which included the video of the foreign official supporting her."Representing thousands of Colombians in South Florida has made Colombia a cause I carry with me every day to Congress," she noted in the post.
"Abelardo has in me a friend.Colombia, an ally.
And Colombians, a steadfast voice in the United States Congress."HOUSE GOP LAWMAKER UNDER FIRE BY FELLOW REPUBLICANS AFTER AD BASHING TRUMP ON IMMIGRATIONColombian President Abelardo De la Espriella holds a press conference with the mayor of Bogota and newly appointed city manager Clara Lucia Sandoval in Bogota, on Aug.25, 2026.
(Sebastian Barros/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Salazar backed de la Espriella for election earlier this year.The lawmaker, who is currently running for re-election, is facing Democratic challenger Eliott Rodriguez.REPUBLICAN REP MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR DECLARES, 'AFTER CUBA, NICARAGUA IS NEXT'CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APPSalazar has served in the House since early 2021.Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, excl...